Thousands to take to the streets in Seattle for the 12th Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights on Tuesday, May 1st 2012.

March to call for an immediate end to the forced implementation of the ‘Secure Communities’ Program (S Comm) in Washington and to protest Wells Fargo Bank for their role in funding unregulated prisons and detention centers throughout the United States

SEATTLE – Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets of Seattle on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 for the 12th Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights. In the spirit of unity and solidarity with other communities across the country, organizers in Seattle will focus on the universal theme of standing together with all workers regardless of race, class, gender, religious affiliation, sexual identity, ability, and documented status. Event details:

What: 12th Annual May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights

Who: You, thousands of workers and immigrant rights supporters. We’ll be welcomed by Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. We’ll hear testimonials from the community members, including faith based communities.

When: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday May 1st, 2012.

Where: The march will begin at St. Mary’s Church (611 20th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98144) and a rally at its destination at the Federal Building in downtown Seattle.

Background

The theme of the 2012 march will center around justice for all workers and for an immediate end to the forced implementation of the “Secure Communities” Program in Washington State. Since its inception in 2008 under the George W. Bush Administration, S Comm has grown in scale and has contributed to record numbers of deportations throughout the U.S. In spite of the supposed intended goal of apprehending convicted felons, S Comm has led to an atmosphere of intimidation and racial profiling with many dragnet raids targeting communities of color throughout the country. These raids, often brutal and heavy-handed continue operating with absolute impunity with little to no regard for the civil and human rights of the communities targeted. Similarly, the march and rally will also focus on Wells Fargo Bank’s fudiciary support of the unregulated Private Prison-Industrial complex which controls several private prisons and immigration detention centers throughout the United States. This event marks the 12th Annual May Day march organized byEl Comité and several other allied social justice organizations.